Spark and throttle control



May 18, 1926.

w. N. osi-BURN ET A.

SPARK AND THROTTLE' CONTROL Filed June 12, 1922' WMWMMWW, de

May 18 1926.

. W N OSBURN ET AL SPARK AND 'IHROT'ILYEJl CONTROL .Filed June 12, 1922 vposed interior lugs 12 Patented iVlay 18, 1926.

UNITED sTATEs tsaaals' PATENT OFFICE.

WALLACE N. osBURN,

MICHIGAN,

0]? NORTHVILLE, ANI) FREDERICK ASSIGNORS TO GEMMER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, F DETROIT,

Ti. HAGAN, or DETROIT,

MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

SPARK AND THROTTLE CONTROL.

Application led .Tu'iie 12, 1922.l Serial No. 567,674.

le igure 1.

In these views the reference character 1 designates a steering post or column which,

may be rigidly mounted in the usual Well known manner. 2, 2, 3 and 4 respectively designate a steering shaft, a stationary shaft, a throttle control stem and a spark control stem all o'. which are tubular and disposed one within another and within the steering column, as is common practice. A steering wheel 5 is mounted fast by any suitable means upon the upper end portion of the steering shatt. Just above said Wheel there is mounted rigidly upon the stationary shaft 2 an annular flange 6 which rigidly carries a pair of upstanding pins 7 oppositely arranged with respect to the axis ofthe steering column. Upon the flange 6 is seated a cap member 8 which vcovers the hub portion ol the steering wheel and which has spaced openings 8 that receive the4 pins `7. The stems 3 and 4 pass centrally through the cap member 8 and above the latter are provided with heads 9 which are diametrically elongated. Said heads respectively have driving connection with a pair of rings 1() -from which the throttle and spark control levers 11 project integrally. The preferred engagement between said rings and the heads 9 is of a quick detachable nature, the rings being formed with diametrically op- Wliich are respectively notched, as indicated at 13, to accommodate the ends of the heads 9. through the outer portions of the central openings of the rings and form stops liniiting rocking of said rings by engagement with the lugs 12. 14 is a plate forming a retainer for The pins 7 pass the rings 10, said plate' being adapted to seat upon shoulders 15 formed upon the upper end portions of the vpins 7, said pins being threaded above said shoulders for engagement by nuts 16 whereby the plate is clamped in the described position. Washers 17 formed of liber or like material are arranged respectively between the rings 10 and above and below said rings, said Washers being held from rotation by engagement with the pins 7. It is preferred to form said washers each with an elongated central opening 18 ot a shape corresponding to that ot' the heads 9 so that said heads will form no obstacle to removal of the washers. A similarly shaped opening 19 in the cap niember 8 permits the removal of the latter without disturbance of saidlieads. Said washers provide bearing faces engaging the rings 10 against which faces the rings may bear With a. predetermined pressure to oppose a desired resistance to turning of the spark and'k throttle control levers 11. The desired predeterii'iined pressure is created by spring tongues 20 which are struck out and downwardly deflected from a thin steel disk 21v which is disposed between the upper washer 17 and the retaining plate 14, said disk being held against r the pins 7. f

The plate 14 is formed with an integral central upstanding collar 22 which is exteriorly threaded for engagement by an annular metal'insert 23 carried by a finishhard rubber or other Within the collar 22 there ing plate 24 formed of suitable material; is disposed a metal cup member 25 through which passes an insulated portion of a. coiiductor 26 extending axially through the.v

steering column. Atv the end of said conductor there is soldered or otherwise electrically and mechanically secured a contact button 27 forming an abutment 'for the lower end of the coiled spring 28. The upper end of said spring is received by and abuts against an inverted cup shaped member 29 which is inserted fixedly in a push button 30 formed of suitable insulating material and preferably marginally overhanging the finishing plate 24. The spring rotation by engagement with 1` normally maintains the switch element 29 f normally slightly spaced above the complementary switch element 25 and contact be- 4, tween said elements may be established by a slight depression of the push button 30. A connection between said push button and the finishing plate 24; permitting the necessary slight movement while preventing disengagement is provided for by a split wire ring 3l which is engaged in an annular groove 32 formed in said push butto'n, said ring projecting sufficiently from said groove to limit upward movement of the push button by engagement with the plate 24.

One of the features of the vdescribed. con'- struction is the elimination ot the serrated or other quadrants which commonly are associated with spark and throttle levers to hold them in adjustment, the present invention accomplishes this result by positioning a predetermined frictional resistance to rotation of said levers. A further desirable feature is the compact nature of the assembly and the -provision for attachment and detachment of all the part-s thereof without disturbing the heads carried by the upper ends ofthe throttle and spark control stems. i

Still another feature of the invention is the described push button switch tor controlling the usual alarm signal, the spring 28 which maintains said switch normally open forming a part of the circuit when the switch is closed whereby the current iow is established from the terminal'button 27 through said spring to the contact 29 and thence to the rim of the cup shaped contact 25, the latter being grounded through the disk 21, pins 7 and steering shaft 2. An insulating washer 33 is interposed between the terminal button 27 andthe contact element 25.

What we claim as our invention is 1. A control assembly comprising a steering column, spark and throttle levers mounted to rotate upon said column, means including a plate above said levers for retaining said levers assembled uponl the steerino4 eolumn,and spring means interposed 2between said plate and one ot the levers opposing a predetermined resistance to rotation of said levers.

2. A control assembly comprising a steering column, a lever mounted to rotate upon said column, and a disk mounted adjacent said lever having spring tongues subjecting the lever to a predetermined trictional resistance.

3. A control assembly comprising a steering column, throttle and spark control levers mountedto rotate coaxially upon said column, retaining means for said levers, and a metal plate interpose'drbetwecn said levers andthe retaining means and formed with struck out spring tongues subjecting both of said levers to a predetermined trictional resistance.

4. A control assembly comprising a steering column, throttle and spark control levers mounted to rotate coaxially u on said column, each lever having a shou der, and a pin tixedly mounted uponsaid column and forming a retaining element for said levers, saidpin being engageable by said shoulders for limiting rotation of said levers.

5. A control assembly comprising a steering column, throttle and spark control levrers coaxially'mounte'd to rotate upon said column,l each lever having spaced projections, and a pair of pins rigidly carried by the steering column at opposite sides of the axis thereof'and constituting abutments for said projections so as' to limit rotation of said levers, and means engaging said pins above the levers to retain the latter upon the column.

6. A control assembly comprising alsteering column, throttle and spark control elements rotatable within said column, heads respectively carried by said elements at the upper end ot' the column, spark and throttle control levers having detachable actuating engagement with said heads, and a common means retaining said levers assembled upon the steering column and engaged with said heads.

7. The combination with a steering column and a control element rotatable within said column, of a head carried by said element at theupper end of the column, a control lever having detachable actuating engagement with said head, a pin stationary upon the column extending through said lever, a projectionon the lever engageable with the pin for limiting the rotation of said lever and retaining means for said lever engaging said pin.

8. A control assembly comprising a steern ing column, a control element rotatable 'therewithim a head carried by said element at the upper end ot the column, a control lever for said element having a ring portiony interiorly formed with opposed lugs notched for detachable engagement with said head, a pin stationary upon the steering column passing through said ring portion and torming a stop engageable by one ot said lugs to limit rotation of the lever and retaining means for the lever engaging said pin.

9. A control assembly steering column, a control element rotatable therewithin, an actuating member for said control element and a projection upon said actuating element having detachable actuating engagement With said control element and means coaeting with said projection to limit rotation of said control element.

10. In a control assembly, the combination with a stationary tube, a plurality of rings arranged in superposed relation upon said tube and having inwardly extending projections, levers connected to said rings for actuating the same, and'means carried by the tube adapted to be engaged by said comprising a till lOD

titi

menait said levers.

11. A control assembly comprising a steering column, a lever mounted to rotate upon said column and a disk mounted adjacent said4 lever and means carried by -said disk subjecting the lever to a frictional resistance.

12. A steering assembly comprising a steering column, a pair of levers mounted to rotate upon said column, and a non-rotative disk between said. levers providing frictional resistance to rotation of vsaid levers.

13. A steering assembly comprising a steering column, a pairof co-axial rotative rings, mounted upon said column, actuating levers carried by said rings, control elements extending within the steeringl column actuable by said rings respectively, -a stationary ring between said rotative rings, and means carried by the column extending through said rings, holding the stationary ring from rotation and further limiting rotation of the rotative rings.

14. A steering assembly comprisin a steering column, a pair of rings mounte coaxially and rotatively upon said column, members extending within said column actuable respectively by said rings, a pair of pins carried bythe column and projecting freely through said rings and a disk between said` rings, held stationary by engage- 'nicnt with said pins.

15. A steering assembly comprisingv a steering column, rings mounted to rotate on said column, a pair of pins carried by the column and projecting .freelf through said rings, actuating levers carrie by said rings, members extending Within the column detachably engaged by and actuable by said rings, and a disk between said rings held stationary by engagement with said pins and providing frictional resistance to ro'- tation of said rings. l c

16. A steering assembly comprisingvasteering column, a pair of rings mounted (ro-axially and rotatively upon the column, actuating levers carried by said rings and a pair of pins carried by the column projecting through said rings and engageable by the rings to limit rotation of the latter.

17. A steering assembly comprising a steering column, a control member extending within said column, a head upon .-said control member, and an actuating element for' said control member having a recess detachably receiving said head.

18. A steering assembly comprising a steering column, a control member extending through said column, a head upon said control member, and a lever havinga ring portion rotatively mounted upon the 'column said ring portion havin recesses at spaced points thereof dctacha ly receiving said head.v

projections for limiting the movement ofA predeterminedl provided notched, means for directing the rotary member provided with a yplurality .bers concentrically arranged andA having 19. .A steering assembly comprising a steering column, a control member extending within said column, a head upon said control member,

and having its inner pefor detachable and actuating engagement with said head, and an actuating lever carried' by said ring.

20. A steering assembly comprising spaced rotative rings having a common axis and with independent linger levers, the inner peripheries of said rings being rings in their rotary movement, concentric rotary members at the axis of the rings and heads! upon said concentric members loosely re- ,ceived'within the notches of the respective rings.

a ring rotatively mounted s upon the column 'riphery notched 21. A steering assembly comprising a roan actuating 'lever carried thereby, members .engaging both faces of the rotary member and cooperating therewith to direct the rotary member in its movements, a fastening element connecting the said members to each other, locking means for the fastening element, a removable cap piece, and an actuated member `arranged at the axis of the rotary member and operatively connected thereto.

22. A motor vehicle control including a Vrotary member provided with a .finger piece, members engaging both faces of the rotary member and co-operating therewith to direct the rotary member in its movements, a fastening element connecting the said members to each other, locking means for the fastening member, a removable cap piece holding the locking tion, and an actuated member arranged atl the axis of the rotary member and operatively connected thereto.l

23. A motor vehicle control including a finger piece, an actuated tube at the axis of the rotary member and operatively connected therewith, guide means for the rotary member including a cap piece, a button mounted upon the cap piece, the actuated tube and opposed contacts operativelylconnccted to the conduit and button.

of spaced superposed rotary mem- 1n- `motor vehicle control including aV member in posial conduit extending through dependent finger pieces, guide means for the rotary members, concentric actuated tubes arranged at the axis of the rotary members and operatively connected thereto, a cap piece applied to' one ofthe guide members, a button mounted upon the cap piece and arranged opposite the' ends of the concentric actuated tubes, an electric cable extending through the said tubes, and contact means actuated by the button for controlling the electric circuit. f

25. A motor vehicle control including a bers. s

rotary control member provided with a finger piece, guide means engaging the control member to direct the rotary movements thereofl and including a threaded plate, a cap member screwed upon the threaded plate, a tubular actuated member arranged at the axis of the control member and operatively connected thereto, an electric cable extending through the tubular member, a button mounted upon the cap member opposite the end of the tubular actuated member, and contact means actuated by the button for controlling the electric circuit.

Q6. In a control assembly, the combination with a steering column, and a plurality of control members projecting upwardlyl from said column, of a pair of plates anchored and arranged in superposed relation upon said column, the opposed faces of said plates being spaced apart throughout their entire area whereby a continuous spaceJ of substantially even depth ispiovided between said plates about said control members, and levers having portions arranged in superposed relation in the space between said plates and respectively secured to said control mem- 27. In a steering wheel assembly, a steering column, a stationary shaft in the column having a lateral flange at its upper end, vertically spaced plates above said flange, a pair of rotatable control levers arranged in superposed relation between said plates, and bolts holding said levers between said plates and holding the latter on the flange of said stationary shaft.

28. In a control assembly, the combination -with a steering column, and a plurality ofA eonti'ol members projecting upwardly from said column, of vertical y spaced plates anchored on said column, a pair of rotatable control levers having portions arranged in lsuperposed relation between said plates and respectively secured to said members, and

a member anchored on said column between said plates providing frictional resistance to rotation of said levers, the arrangement being such that one lever may be moved without moving the other.

29. A control assembly comprising a steering column having a steering wheel thereon, vertically spaced column and wheel, a p urality of control levers having annular portions filling the space between said plates, `a disk intermediate the annular portions of said control levers in frictional contact therewith, and means within the annular portions of said control members for holding said disk and plates from rotation.

30. In a control assembly, the combination with a steering column, and a plurality of control members projecting upwardly from said column, of rotatable rings respectively secured to said members, and a non-rotative disk between said members providing frictional resistance to rotation of said membeis. v

31. A control assembly comprising a rotary steering tube, a plurality of rotary control members and a fixed member concentrically arranged within said steering tube, superposed annular members respectively attached to said rotary control members, and a member interposed between said annular members in frictional contact with the adjacent faces thereof anchored to said fixed member.

32. A control assembly comprising a rotary steering tube, a plurality of rotary control members in said tube, a fixed tube in said steering tube, superposed annular niembers respectively attached to said rotary control members, a member interposed between said annular-members in frietional contact with the adjacent faces thereof anchored to said fixed tube, and resilient means pressing said annular members against said friction member.

33. A control assembly comprising a rotary steering tube, a plurality of rotary control members in said tube, a fixed tube in said steering tube, superposed annular meinbers respectively connected to said rotary control members, and a series of friction members engaging the opposite faces of said annular members and anchored to said fixed tube.

In testimony whereof we allix our signaf lates above saidl 

